For concluding our brief subject, 8706
it remains to put you in mind also of the due observance of giving and receiving baptism. Of giving it, the chief priest 8707
(who is the bishop) has the right: in the next place, the presbyters and deacons, yet not without the bishops authority, on account of the honour of the Church, which being preserved, peace is preserved. Beside these, even laymen have the right; for what is equally received can be equally given. Unless bishops, or priests, or deacons, be on the spot, other disciples are called i.e. to the work. The word of the Lord ought not to be hidden by any: in like manner, too, baptism, which is equally Gods property, 8708
can be administered by all. But how much more is the rule 8709
of reverence and modesty incumbent on laymen—seeing that these powers8710
belong to their superiors—lest they assume to themselves the specific8711
function of the bishop! Emulation of the episcopal office is the mother of schisms. The most holy apostle has said, that “all things are lawful, but not all expedient.” 8712
Let it suffice assuredly, in cases of necessity, to avail yourself (of that rule 8713
, if at any time circumstance either of place, or of time, or of person compels you (so to do); for then the stedfast courage of the succourer, when the situation of the endangered one is urgent, is exceptionally admissible; inasmuch as he will be guilty of a human creatures loss if he shall refrain from bestowing what he had free liberty to bestow. But the woman of pertness, 8714
who has usurped the power to teach, will of course not give birth for herself likewise to a right of baptizing, unless some new beast shall arise 8715
like the former; so that, just as the one abolished baptism, 8716
so some other should in her own right confer it! But if the writings which wrongly go under Pauls name, claim Theclas example as a licence for womens teaching and baptizing, let them know that, in Asia, the presbyter who composed that writing, 8717
as if he were augmenting Pauls fame from his own store, after being convicted, and confessing that he had done it from love of Paul, was removed 8718
from his office. For how credible would it seem, that he who has not permitted a woman8719
even to learn with over-boldness, should give a female8720
the power of teaching and of baptizing! “Let them be silent,” he says, “and at home consult their own husbands.” 8721